Is it really harmless?

Many people consider age spots to be an "obvious" skin condition of aging and therefore pay little attention to them. However, a thorough understanding of age spots can help prevent and control their development, and even predict potentially serious skin diseases.

Age spots (brown spots) are flat or slightly raised pigmented skin lesions that appear in both men and women of all races and ages. Age spots are usually long-lasting and may increase in number with age or with increased sun exposure. Some spots in areas protected from sunlight may fade and disappear.

Age spots are usually long-lasting and may increase in number with age.

Classify age spots and monitor them carefully for signs of skin cancer.

According to Dr. Le Cao Tri, University Medical Center of Ho Chi Minh City - Branch 3, the most common types of age spots are:

Lentigo Simplex : Appears in the early years after birth and early adulthood; found on the trunk and limbs. Small, brown, round or oval patches or plaques with smooth or serrated edges, may have a dry surface and disappear over time.

Due to sunlight : Most commonly seen in middle age, appearing in areas with prolonged sun exposure such as the face, neck, shoulders, hands, forearms, and lower legs. The lesions are thin patches or plaques, yellow, light brown, or dark brown in color, with smooth or irregular borders, and may have a dry surface. They are typically 5 mm in diameter, but can spread to several centimeters or merge together. They may disappear through lichenoid keratinization. In atypical forms, they can be difficult to distinguish from melanoma in situ.

Ink-like spots : Fewer in number than sunspots, appearing after sunburn in people with very fair skin. Uneven color, ranging from dark brown to black.

Post-PUVA (photochemotherapy) melasma, skin darkening : Similar in appearance to ink-like brown spots, present wherever PUVA has been applied or the skin darkening bed has been used.

Radiation-induced brown spots : These appear at the irradiated site (accidentally or as a result of treatment). They are associated with late-stage radiation-induced dermatitis.

Melanotic macules : Found on mucosal or semi-mucosal surfaces such as the lips, vulva, penis, and anus, ranging in color from light brown to dark brown.

Age spots are associated with other organ abnormalities : clustered forms (related to neurological and mental developmental abnormalities); patterned forms; central facial age spots with neurological malformations (related to intellectual disability); age spots associated with genetic syndromes…

"Any change in the shape, color, or size of age spots compared to their original state could be a sign of a serious abnormality such as skin cancer. For example: rapid increase in size, uneven color, multiple colors, irregular borders, bleeding, pain," said Dr. Cao Tri.

Therefore, people with age spots need to have a certain understanding and not be complacent about the appearance or changes of age spots all over their bodies, so that they can promptly seek examination and treatment at reputable medical facilities.

When going out, especially between 10 am and 4 pm, you should wear a face mask, long pants, long-sleeved shirts, gloves, dark-colored socks, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses.

How can we limit recurrence and prevent new age spots from appearing?

Brown spots related to UV exposure can be prevented by carefully protecting the skin from sunlight.

According to Dr. Tri, physical protection with clothing, hats, sunglasses, etc., is more effective in preventing new age spots than sunscreen. Sun exposure should be limited; when going out between 6 am and 6 pm – especially between 10 am and 4 pm – it is necessary to wear a face mask, long pants, long-sleeved shirts, gloves, dark-colored socks, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses.

In addition, you should apply sunscreen 30 minutes before going out in the sun, using a broad-spectrum sunscreen with physical sunscreen ingredients such as titanium dioxide and zinc oxide (which are less likely to irritate the skin than chemical sunscreens). Choose a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher, apply a sufficient amount, and reapply every 2 hours or more frequently if swimming or sweating heavily.

How are age spots treated?

According to Dr. Le Cao Tri, age spots usually don't affect health, but they are unsightly and can cause a lack of self-confidence in social interactions. Treatment can fade or eliminate age spots; however, any treatment method carries the risk of complications or side effects, so patients need to be examined and treated by a dermatologist to minimize risks. Specific treatment methods include:

• Topical medications: Sometimes cause localized skin irritation at the application site.
• Chemical peels: Risk of scarring or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation if performed incorrectly.
• Cryotherapy: Uses liquid nitrogen.
• IPL: Uses high-intensity pulsed light.
• Laser pigmentation: Most effective, using selective photothermal lysis technology to break down melanin pigment particles without damaging surrounding tissue.

"After treatment procedures, patients need to avoid sun exposure as much as possible and take gentle, proper care of their skin as instructed by their treating physician," Dr. Tri added.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/doi-moi-tren-da-co-that-su-vo-hai-185250221233953774.htm